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Featured Books |
During the week of January 21-25, schools across the nation will participate in No Name-Calling Week, an annual event aimed at inspiring on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling and bullying. While this initiative addresses the destructive impact of all types of name-calling, the Anti-Defamation League recommends books this month that focus on the particular problem of weight bias and stigmatization.
In a commonly cited study, students overwhelmingly ranked obese children last when asked who they would want for a friend from a group of photos that included children with crutches, in a wheelchair, with an amputated hand, and with a facial disfigurement. The research consistently shows that overweight children are more likely to be teased and bullied, and that their peers are less willing to socialize with them and feel ashamed to even be seen with them. Overweight children are also more likely to receive negative ratings from teachers, poor school evaluations and experience lower college acceptance rates.
Such findings led the National Education Association to state that "for fat students, the school experience is one of ongoing prejudice, unnoticed discrimination, and almost constant harassment," a climate that leads to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and suicide among overweight children, and which undermines physical health and effective weight management.
Rigid ideas about body size encourage socially hierarchical and cruel behavior that impairs the social and emotional potential of all children. ADL's January featured books encourage students to develop a healthy body image, understand the harmful effects of size bias and look beyond appearance in their interactions with others.
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Shapesville
Andy Mills (Author), Becky Osborn (Author), Erica Neitz (Illustrator)
 Shapesville is a small town where five friends of various shapes, sizes, colors, and talents discuss their differences and celebrate what makes each of them unique. Through simple, rhyming verse and bold illustrations, these characters show that "it’s not the size of your shape or the shape of your size, but the size of your heart that deserves first prize.
| ISBN: |
0936077441 |
| Year: |
2003 |
| Publisher: |
Gurze Books |
| Grade Level: |
PreK - 2 |
| Pages: |
32 |
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Alley oops
Janice Levy (Author), C.B. Decker (Illustrator)
 J.J. Jax has been tormenting an overweight boy, Patrick, who is now afraid to go to school. After Mr. Jax tells J.J. a story about when he acted as a bully and how sorry he feels now, J.J. bikes over to Patrick’s house to talk things over. J.J. is surprised to discover how much he and Patrick have in common. The boys’ shared interests become the conduit for growth, resolution and a budding friendship.
| ISBN: |
0972922547 |
| Year: |
2005 |
| Publisher: |
Flashlight Press |
| Grade Level: |
K - 3 |
| Pages: |
32 |
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Fat Boy Swim
Catherine Forde
Jimmy Kelly, an obese middle school student, is savagely bullied by his peers. He keeps his one talent, cooking, secret for fear that community members who enjoy the desserts he donates for charities would be repulsed to learn the identity of the chef. The football coach, known as "GI Joe" for his aggressive manner, teaches Jimmy to swim, and Jimmy comes quickly into his own, shedding pounds, getting fit, becoming a champion swimmer, and developing the confidence to stand up to the bullies and to go after the girl he likes.
| ISBN: |
0385902379 |
| Year: |
2004 |
| Publisher: |
Random House Children's Books |
| Grade Level: |
5 - 9 |
| Pages: |
272 |
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